1883. Trail of Beauty and Carcasses

Watching a series

On hardship.

Greenhorns just took

The long trail.

Hardly knew which

Ways to fail.

Wild cattle rustled

In passing. Some killed.

Beef for the bunch of them

Filled.

Rustlers a worry

In darkness.

Firearms held close

Safe to keep.

Much of their furnishings

Let go bankside.

Crossing a River cold, deep.

Folks include Slavics

And Amish

Never used rifle or knife.

Watched by the Trail Boss

At all hours.

Loves them,

And strangely, for Life.

He is a grouchy one

War torn.

He lost his girls

To the pox.

Never reveals of

This heart grief.

Only to one girl

He talks.

She has her own

Pain on saddle.

First love was shot

Down by thieves.

Tireless she moves

On Day’s fresh trail.

Visions of Oregon

Believes.

Westerly waters

And mountains.

Farms for the clearing

Full deed.

Will they survive

The months coming.

Will they have

All that they need?